In anticipation of another blazing summer, the American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter will give away 1,000 free fans this week.

People may pick up fans from the American Red Cross, 1900 E. Douglas, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

“Last year we set a new record for the number of fans we gave away,” said James Williams, a public relations manager with the American Red Cross. “This year we wanted to set a new record and to do that we came up with a nice, even number of 1,000 fans.”

To receive a fan, people need to present a valid Kansas driver’s license and proof of current address. There is a limit of one fan per household.

The Red Cross encourages those especially vulnerable to the heat, such as the elderly and families with small children, to pick up a fan.

Last year, the Red Cross set out to give away 900 free fans. Because the demand was greater than that, it ended up distributing 962 fans. The free fan program has been going on for more than 15 years.